View source for Paseo de los Estudiantes

Paseo de los Estudiantes, located in southern San José, Costa Rica, is an urban area known for its commercial growth since the late 20th century, featuring supermarkets, shops, and Chinese-owned restaurants. Named after students who protested against the dictatorship of Federico Tinoco Granados in 1919, the area includes a monument to their movement, unveiled in 2016.

In 2012, the Barrio Chino (Chinatown) was established on the same site, funded by the Chinese government to promote cultural and economic ties. Covering 12 city blocks along 9th Street, the area features a red-and-yellow walkway symbolizing prosperity, an arched entrance inspired by Tang dynasty architecture, and a Confucius statue at its end.

Despite its aim to boost trade and tourism, the Barrio Chino faced criticism for its low presence of Asian property owners and concerns about traffic disruption. The project's total cost was estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million, with contributions from both China and San José.